SEEMING LIBERTY. 
195 
unknown chief. We were greeted with great gravity by 
the messenger, who rose and delivered the king's saluta- 
tions. "His majesty had heard that we were badly 
treated in Fomana, which aroused his indignation, and 
must be altered." A sheep was to be immediately caught 
in the streets and given to us, another to himself, &c. A 
fresh messenger would to-morrow give us leave to travel 
further, and provide more bearers. 
This sounded assuring, but we had learned in Ashantee to 
suspect everything; and whilst at breakfast the next morn- 
ing, we were summoned to the chief Obeng. Not hastening 
immediately, a second and more pressing call was made. 
We found the chief's court full of people, amongst them 
many strange faces. M. Bonnat recognised the man who 
had murdered his two assistants, which excited our ap- 
prehension, especially as many were running to and fro, 
and whispering together suspiciously, while we wondered 
what would occur next. The Fantees were summoned 
together, who were placed in the further corners of the 
court to listen to merchants and bearers with the king's 
message. 
After long continued suspense, the messenger arose and 
said, his majesty had, "out of friendship to the governor, 
exerted himself to free us from Adu Bofo, and send us to 
the Coast "(in negro language this message occupied much 
time, and was expressed in endless words) ; but ' Ata ' 
(Flange) had played false by urging the governor to pay 
the money after our arrival, and until then, to detain 
Akjampong. Such conduct, at the very time he was 
treating for peace, he could not understand. He was in- 
dignant at the false ' Ata ; ' and as the business was done 
through him, and the road was now blocked, he com- 
manded him to restore his property. Before the white 
people could be set at liberty the royal messengers must 
return to Coomassie with Akjampong and the £1000." 
